Team ScotlandThe National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, on Day 10 of these Commonwealth Games, will go down in history.
It was the day Scotland secured their most successful away Games, and Scottish Boxing secured their best medal haul in 36 years.
In under four hours, three gold medals were secured in the ring, with Sam Hickey, Sean Lazzerini and Reese Lynch, a feat never done before by Team Scotland.
The setup in the NEC is brilliant for a boxing bout. High stands, music blaring, fans going crazy, one of the best Commonwealth venues I’ve been to.
First up it was the turn of Dundee’s Sam Hickey to get the gold rush going in the Middeweight final.
This may be held in England but when you’re sat in the stands, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was in the Hydro.
Hickey produced a fine performance in front of a bouncing crowd against Aussie opponent Callum Peters.
After his win he said: “I’m over the moon, I just can’t get over it, it really hasn’t sunk in for me.
“I’m just so happy. To be able to do this for my city, my country, all the people I’m so proud to represent you.
“I couldn’t sleep last night. After ever weight-in I’ve slept great but last night I couldn’t I just want to get in that ring and show everyone what I could do.”
No sooner had I taken my seat back from the media mixed zone, Sean Lazzerini was walking out in the Light Heavyweight Final.
Welshman Taylor Bevan stood in the way of a quick fire double gold for Team Scotland.
But with a heavily weighted Scottish contingent in the crowd behind him, Lazzerini pulled out a stellar boxing display. Another gold secured, after a split decision from the judges.
The 25-year-old said: “This feels brilliant but for me it’s just another step in my career, it’s onto the next one.
“It’s great to see that my family are proud, my friends are proud, that really means a lot.
“It’s back in the gym for me tomorrow. This is just the beginning there is no end.”
“This is the Lazzerini era.”
We finally had a chance to catch our breathe as the first session came to a close.
If there was pressure on Reese Lynch to deliver gold before, having watched his two compatriots do the business before him sure would have added to his nerves.
In his way, Mauritius fighter Louis Colin Richarno.
In a cagey affair, Lynch battled through. Despite a knockdown in the last, the Scot won on split decision, despite booing from the crowd about the result.
Lynch said: “I’m absolutely buzzing, there’s not many times you get to see a scotland flag rise to the top.
“I’ve always dreamed of getting my first cut in a final, but there’s probably more to come.
“I’ve said since the start this boxing team would break records. I’ve been training with them for ages and knew exactly what they could do.
“We’ve just created history and I’m buzzing with that.”
Alongside Matthew McHale and Tyler Jolly who both won bronze, it’s a historic five medals for Team Scotland’s boxers at a Commonwealth Games.
Having been down in Birmingham a while now and reported on a number of medals for Scotland, this day feels special.
There were two statements made today.
The first, Scotland secured their best Games outside of Glasgow, a reward of years of hard work and dedication, proving we are right up there with the best
But as well as that, Scottish Boxing showed the world they are a force to be reckoned with. Three golds for the first time ever. Five medals out of a possible eight. And the best medal haul in 36 years.
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